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Dean Austin appointed Northampton Town manager after League One relegation

Dean Austin during the Sky Bet League One match between Blackpool and Northampton Town at Bloomfield Road on April 10, 2018 in Blackpool, England.
Image: Dean Austin has taken permanent charge of Northampton Town

Northampton Town have appointed caretaker boss Dean Austin as the club's new manager on a two-year contract.

Austin will guide the Cobblers in League Two next season following their relegation from League One where they finished 22nd, four points from safety.

The former Tottenham full-back took caretaker charge after Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's sacking in April and has won two of his five games.

Dean Austin during the Sky Bet League One match between at Gigg Lane on April 14, 2018 in Bury, England.
Image: Austin's two wins as Northampton caretaker boss came against Bury and Plymouth

Austin said: "The supporters can expect us to play in an aggressive way and on the front foot. We will not be afraid to be brave or to take chances but I also want us to be horrible to play against.

"Our first priority is to try and get the club back to League One as soon as possible and to give the supporters some fun and entertainment along the way.

"We have an important summer ahead and we have a lot of work to do."

Sky Bet League One match between Walsall and Northampton Town at Banks' Stadium on April 28, 2018 in Walsall, England.
Image: Northampton were relegated from League One this year after two season in the division

It is Austin's second managerial job having taken charge of non-league Farnborough Town and Northampton chairman Kelvin Thomas believes the 48-year-old has earned the right to become manager at Sixfields permanently.

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He said: "We have taken a lot of time over the last few weeks to carry out a detailed process of reviewing our position and where we need to be and looked at all the options available and Dean stood out to us as the best candidate for the role.

during the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Charlton Athletic at Sixfields on March 30, 2018 in Northampton, England.
Image: Austin replaces Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as Northampton boss, who was dismissed in April

"Dean inherited a difficult situation and a squad that lacked confidence but we think he handled things very well and has earned this opportunity.

"He has overseen an improvement in the results and importantly, performances, and really connected the team back with the supporters.

"He managed to get the team playing in a very positive manner and on the front foot from a difficult starting point.

during the Sky Bet League One match between Walsall and Northampton Town at Banks' Stadium on April 28, 2018 in Walsall, England.
Image: Austin will look to get Northampton back into League One

"He knows what is required and we think he is the natural choice at this point.

"We believe Dean can instil a philosophy and a strategy around recruitment and player development that can take us forward."

Austin's appointment will see Jon Brady, who assisted with the first team in the final few weeks of the season, return to his previous role as manager of the under 18 side.

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